Tag: beauty blog

Her hair, makeup, clothes- LIFE! Leaves me green with envy! I think shes the most pinterest-ed lady of mine at the minute. I like the casual yet polished thrown togetherness she achieves, that, if my bank balance would allow, I would fashion myself on!

Instead what I have done is put together a couple of pieces that are within my budget, kinda!

Sometimes, yep, it is an effort to grab your toner; that step two in your ‘cleansing’ routine that you may, or may not do; I say do, do, do!

Try and change your perception from the ol’ drying, stingy-potions that give you a horrible burning sensation. The traditional toners have now moved on; as Caroline Hirons notes…

‘Think of them as the first step in the moisturising process, not the final step if the cleansing process’.

Since reading this revelation and seeing the change in my skin, I have fallen in love and long forgotten my skin stripping, teenage years tonics.

I cleanse first, then follow with an exfoliating toner; I’m currently using Pixi’s Glow Tonic, but I here Clarins do an equally awesome one too. Then I use my favorite; Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner. This, you spray all over your face, super quick and easy! This is my hydrating toner ‘step’ or I use L’Occitane Angelica Facial Toner, second choice to Dermalogica I’m afraid!

For more great skincare tips check out Caroline Hirons blog here and check out my fave bloggers whilst your at it! The rest of my skincare routine can be found here.

Over the past year the majority of these products/tools get used and abused on a daily basis.

You know why that is? Because each and everyone is awesome.

I am a huge neutrals girl and like my makeup to look like natural, the base therefore is either my DrJarts+ BBor Armani Luminous Silk. I tend to wear my BB for work with a little concealer, which is either the famous Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection or Bobbi Brown’s Creamy concealer. Both do a stellar job in hiding all those unwanted dark circles or blemishes.

Then for blush I grab Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge, I’ve mentioned this product before, I wear Powder Pink but Melon is a beautiful alternative too. It is cream blush, I know it’s not for everyone but I like that dewy look and this has the dew-factor! Next, my go-to post would be lost without Hug Me by Mac. Thee perfect neutral lipstick, ’nuff said. For eyes, if I’m feeling particularly energetic/ have enough time I reach for my Bobbi Brown eye palette. I absolutely love this set, all wearable and very versatile. I tend to do a quick swoop over my lids but these colours are very buildable and you can achieve a decent smokey kardashian eye too.

My mascara loyalty lay with Maybellines The Falsies, I did a review recelntly-check this post out here. For the brows, it can only be HD Brow products, I have done a post, if your interested in having your eyebrows HD’ed here but if your not then you still have to try their brow line, they get a huge thumbs up for me, especially the palettes and pencils.

To chisel those cheek bones and add a bit of life to my very pale ski, my go-to bronzer has to be Nars Laguna, I know very cliche but nothing yet come up to scratch! Then FINALLY, again, if you haven’t already, go and get one of these stippling brushes by Real Techniques. Using circular motions I use this to buff in my base; you can really get right into the nooks and crannies. I also use this to pop my cream blusher on, works a treat! Totally versatile = happy Annie!

Partial to the odd luxury product-yes, but for ol’ day to day usage, Soap and Glory take righteous place. In a heavily dominated ‘big brand’ market, filled with generic shower gels and body lotions, I must say nothing really comes close; it’s well priced, smells amazing and their kitsch, witty phrased packaging hits all the right buttons. Whats great is that I managed to get my hands on The Yule Monty gift set. Call it a gift from me to me at the bargain price of £27! Any whoo, my bottom draw is now packed to the rafters and these beauty’s are going to last me the whole year.

A little secret, their Original Pink Formula 1 eau de parfum is a complete Miss Dior dupe.

Although I love all things hair, I am a minimalist, no fuss, no nonsense. My hair is pretty fine but I have a lot of it; if that makes sense, therefore products tend weigh it down. The only problem things can turn into a moisture balancing act, I don’t want dry hair, nor do I want limp greasy hair either. Nonetheless, my quick routine has made me realise their is a hair care god!

Shampoo: Bumble and Bumble Tonic*

My hair gets pretty oilyso I was really looking forward to trying Bumble and Bumble’s Tonic. It has my favourite smell Tea Tree in it and it also has a touch of peppermint so you get that ooo! ahhh! tingling scalp feeling in the shower. I’ve found it doesn’t strip my hair but clarifies, leaving it clean and very shiny! Massive thumbs up! The only down-side is you only get 250ml 😦 and I want more!

Conditioner: Bumble and Bumble Let it Shine!*

Every girl craves that shine factor and this little beauty has helped give my lack-lustres locks that added sparkle! Past products have left a weird silky film over my hair; probably the silicone they’ve crammed in, branded it shine when actually its lovely plastic. Eeeeek! This however gives you the boost without coating your hair with nasties! Thank you Bumble and Bumble, Thank you very much!

After I’ve washed my hair I pop on Moroccanoil; the light version if my hair isn’t feeling too dry. I love the smell and I have seen a huge improvement since incorporated this into my haircare routine. The downside is the hefty price tag! But, I promise you its worth it, I use it every other day and it has lasted about a year! You definitely get you moneys worth. If your purse strings can’t stretch then Lee Stafford’s Argan Oil is an amazing alternative.

The hairs washed, the oils in, next, my fave part, THE TANGLE TEEZER!! I can’t tell you enough how much this has changed my LIFE! Before, my hair was matted, knotty and I’d dread brushing it; pulling knots out with my hands was a daily occurance, oh the horror! Now this combs through a dream, no pulling, no knots, woohoo! So if you haven’t got one already, GO GET ONE NOW! Its a real life changing moment.

Lip liner is a truly forgotton gem. To be honest it does lay in my dresser all neglected and feeling sorry for itself. I would like to say I own a colour to match every lipstick but nope, I don’t, I just seem to own various shades of nude. Although liner has been tarnished by the nighties, used right it should serve a rightful place in everybody’s collection.

For a long lasting lip colour, lip pencil has the lasting power and I’ve seen pro artists use just a pencil for the entire lip. It looks amazing if you want a strong, matte lip and if you have the right colour it can look really effective; think oranges and reds!

Now I managed to grab this beauty for £2.00 in TKMaxx by New CID which is currently £16.00 on feelunique.com here. Another fab nude is MAC’s Spice and for a deep purple MAC’s Vino. Check out Vino in full force here.